3 Tips For Handling A Broken Tooth

When you are unfortunate enough to suffer from one of your teeth breaking, you could find yourself facing a stressful situation. In addition to the pain that this injury can cause, you may also have deep concerns about the cosmetic effects that this could have. For these reasons, it is important for you to understand the steps you should be taking if you break one of your teeth.

1. Keep The Tooth Clean

A broken tooth can be at a high risk of becoming infected. This is due to bacteria being able to enter the tooth through the broken enamel. Unfortunately, thee infections can develop extremely quickly, and this is particularly true if the broken tooth was suffering from decay. 

By thoroughly cleaning the tooth and keeping it sanitized, you may be able to minimize the risk of it becoming infected in the time before you are able to have it treated. If you find that regular mouthwash is uncomfortable to use for this purpose, a saltwater rinse may be able to help you sanitize the tooth.

2. Avoid Delays In Having It Repaired

Depending on the way that the tooth broke, it can be possible for the patient to not feel much in terms of pain or discomfort. This can lead individuals to delay having their broken tooth repaired. When this is the case, the broken part of the tooth is more likely to experience significant decay due to the protection of the tooth's enamel being compromised. Depending on the extent of this decay, it may not be possible to save the broken tooth. By seeking treatment as soon as possible, you can minimize this risk to your smile.

3. Minimize Your Use Of The Tooth Until It Is Repaired

It is common for individuals to have to wait a day or two before they can have their tooth repaired. This is a common situation for individuals that have extremely busy careers or other responsibilities that may require them to make personal sacrifices. If you are faced with having to wait a brief period of time before having the tooth repaired, you should make it a point to minimize the amount of use that your broken tooth experiences.

This may mean chewing with the opposite side of your mouth, but it can help to reduce the risk of further damage occurring. When a tooth breaks, it can suffer extensive weakening. This may make it more likely that it suffers further degradation or breaking from the pressure caused by chewing.

Contact a dental office like Sun Dental for more information and assistance.